Recalls this week: Bicycle carrier seats, chairs

the Associated PressPublished: April 6, 2012 3:45PM

A line of child seats made for bicycles are being recalled because of finger injury and amputation risks. They are among several consumer products such as hedge trimmers and office chairs recalled this week because of safety hazards.

Here's a closer look at recalled products:

BICYCLE CHILD CARRIER SEATS

DETAILS: Topeak Babyseat II bicycle carrier seats imported by Todson Inc. with model numbers TCS2100, TCS2101 and TCS2102. The gray, plastic seats were sold in three styles: Babyseat, Babyseat with disc brake compatible rack and Babyseat with non-disc brake compatible rack. The racks are used to mount the seat to the bicycle. They were sold between Jan. 2009 and April 2012.

WHY: Children can suffer lacerations or amputations to fingertips if they get caught in the opening at the grab bar's hinge mechanism when being removed.

INCIDENTS: Two reports of incidents including near amputations that resulted in stitches and a crushed finger.

HOW MANY: About 40,000.

FOR MORE: Call Todson at 800-250-3068 or visit www.todson.com

GRASS AND HEDGE TRIMMERS

DETAILS: Grass and hedge trimmers made by Husqvarna Machinery Manufacturing Co. in Shanghai, China. The recalled products include Husqvarna grass trimmer model 122C with serial numbers that range from 2011 17 00001 to 2011 52 99999. The recalled Husqvarna hedge trimmers are models 122HD60 and 122HD45 with serial numbers that range from 2011 17 00001 to 2011 52 99999. The products were sold between May 2011 and Jan. 2012.

WHY: Fuel can leak from the rubber spacer holding the fuel lines in the fuel tank, posing a fire hazard.

DETAILS: Williams-Sonoma Inc.'s West Elm solid wood and fully assembled folding chairs sold in white, red or chocolate. The chairs were sold individually and in sets of two and four. An unfolded chair measures 17-inches wide by 19-inches deep by 31-inches high. A sticker on the underside of the seat reads "West Elm."

WHY: The chairs can collapse during normal use, posing a fall hazard.

INCIDENTS: 14 reports of collapsed, broken or cracked chairs. Two consumers have reported minor injuries after falling from a collapsed chair, though medical attention was not required.

HOW MANY: About 10,000 in the U.S. and 100 in Canada

FOR MORE: Call West Elm at 855-262-9744 or visit www.westelm.com

BICYCLES

DETAILS: 18 models of women's and men's bicycles made by Public Bikes Inc. The bicycles are various colors and sizes. "Public" or "Publicbikes.com" is printed on either the bicycle chain guard or the rear fender. The bicycles have a metal "badge" at the top of the down tube with a number stamped on it. Recalled badge numbers are 1-5843, 5845, 12560, 20743 and 20757. The "Apple" model, which has no badge, is also included. The word "Wellgo" is embossed on both the top and bottom of the pedals. All bicycles with Wellgo pedals are included in this recall. The bicycles were sold from April 2010 to Jan. 2012.

WHY: The pedals can crack and break, posing a fall hazard to the rider.

INCIDENTS: 24 reports of pedals cracking, but no reported injuries.

HOW MANY: About 4,100

FOR MORE: Call Public Bikes at 855-840-1400 or visit www.publicbikes.com

DESK CHAIRS

DETAILS: Office Depot brand leather desk chairs made by Wonderful Year Inc. of China. The mid-back height leather chairs were sold in black and have SKU number 130548. They were sold from Jan. 2002 through Dec. 2008.

WHY: The weld connecting the seat plate to the gas lift can fail, causing the chair to separate from the base and posing a fall hazard.

INCIDENTS: 11 reports of the chairs breaking and consumers falling while seated, resulting in reports of injuries, including minor contusions and abrasions.

HOW MANY: 307,000 in the U.S. and 12,000 in Canada

FOR MORE: Call Office Depot's at 866-403-3763 or visit www.officedepot.com